Archive for the 'Information' Category

A red panda cub, the first in 15 years, has been born at the National Zoo. here are fewer than 2,500 red pandas left in the wild, but the endangered species is actively bred in zoos. Mom is 2-year-old Shama and has been very attentive to her cub so far. The father is 3-year-old Tate, who came to the zoo just last year.

Last month, I posted my theory about animals being familiar with the language they grow up around and wondered if it would affect the pandas who are moved from English-speaking countries back to China. Apparently, I was right, because China is in need of a language coach in order for a panda who recently left the US to be able to adapt to her new surroundings.

China is looking for volunteers to help during the height of zoo-visiting season. Article is here. This would be an amazing opportunity for anyone who qualifies.

“China’s main breeding station has issued a call for 30 volunteers from around the world to help to care for its pandas during the Chinese new year holidays when a flood of tourists is expected.

The temporary recruits to the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding, in Sichuan province, will be welcome to work with the pandas between February 14 — the first day of the Year of the Tiger — and February 28, which marks the end of the lunar new year festival.

To be eligible, any would-be volunteer worker must be aged between 18 and 45 and have a college degree. Fluent spoken English would also be considered a bonus.”